The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Rear axle swap on 53 chevy truck

Does anyone know if a direct rear axle swap will work from a Ranchero to 53 chevy truck? I know that they are around 61" hub to hub (mounting surface) but not sure. Any information would be greatly appreciated!!

Dog:

http://www.carnut.com/specs/rear.html

http://www.hemmings.com/partslocator/axles.html

et cetera

Not sure what you mean by "direct swap". The 53 orginally has torque-tube so any open hotchkiss type leaf spring rear is not "direct". The table like listed above give you your rear end widths, which is the primary fitment measure, which looks like you have considered.

You still may need to move the position of the spring perches (cut and weld new ones on), giving consideration for the pinion (driveline) angles and the side to side position.

Then you have driveshaft length and U-joint connection to work out.

Finally the nit stuff like emergency brake cables and brake line connection.

Sorry - should have been clearer. But, I am new to restoration and new to the forum world. I have a guy helping me who is very experienced but here was the plan. Removing the old rear end entirely (torque tube and all), leaf springs, brackets...whole shooting match. Getting a new leaf spring kit to install. I know we'll have to work out the driveshaft as well. Are you aware if the width of the rear end. (approx. 61") is a good swap to the 53 truck? Thanks for the response!!

That depends on a few things. What wheels are you going to use? Stock? What's the offset of those wheels? What's your stock diff mounting surface to mounting surface? Are you after a stock look, or will you be further modifying the truck?

Mounting surface to mounting surface is 62 1/4" ..Inside dimension is 55 1/4 with 3 1/2" of thickness each side (from backing plate to mounting surface). I will not use stock wheels but not sure of what to use.
Sorry my stupidity shows...I don't know what "offset" is.

Offset, I guess would be the "dish" of the wheel or how far in or out the center where the wheel (where the wheel bolts) to differential. This in effects moves the wheel in or out farther. You'll need to figure what wheels you want to run to figure out the overall width of the differential. The main thing would be to make sure you will have clearance between the tire/wheel and the bedside on the truck.

John

The axle you have is 62-1/4" and the one you're looking at is 61". So the new diff is 1-1/4" narrower and you'll be moving the mounting surface in 5/8" on each side of the truck. Since you're changing wheels, you need to think of what you're wanting to run for wheels. For your purposes look at wheel backspacing. That tells you the measurement from the mounting surface of the wheel to the outer edge of the rim, on the back side.

As I asked before, are you fully customizing the truck or looking for a stock look? This will help determine your wheel selection, whether you want the wheels centered, to "fill out" the wheelwells, etc. Are you lowering the truck or keeping it stock height?